Housing: Undergraduate Students

Middlebury has a unique policy regarding student housing.  It is based on student personal choice as well as the belief that by assuming responsibility for making appropriate decisions regarding their own accommodations, students learn life skills and important information about language and culture. The School in Spain will assist students in this process.

Finding housing in any large city to fit personal preferences is time consuming and requires perseverance and patience. Students should begin this process by consulting the  housing webpage. Then, all students should complete the housing questionnaire that can be found in the post-decision section of the study abroad application portal. Students applying for the fall semester should submit the form by mid-April and those applying for the spring semester should submit the form by mid-October. Students should start the process early, as the office in Spain is closed for most of August and for the December holidays. One week before on-site orientation begins, students who plan to live in apartments (if not reserved in advance through Aluni) will be assisted by Spanish university students (ayudantes) who will help them in their piso search.

For students who choose to live in a homestay, it is also possible to reserve accommodations prior to leaving for Spain by contacting the Housing Coordinator Sophia Iglesias: siglesias@middlebury.edu.  The only requirements in making a reservation in advance are that you must complete the housing questionnaire on-line and that you must stay with the family for a minimum of one month upon arrival. No exceptions.

It is the School in Spain and Language Pledge policy that students must live in a Spanish-only environment. Failure to adhere to this policy will result in students being required to change their residence, even when it means that students will lose rental deposits or payments. Additionally, students may not live with other Middlebury in Spain program students. Students must obtain approval from the School in Spain before committing to a housing arrangement.

When looking for an apartment, make sure you consider various options and several different places before deciding where to live.  It is the student’s responsibility to read all contracts carefully and understand what they say.  Students should not hesitate to ask for assistance if the wording in a contract is unclear.  Due to the increase of web-based housing resources in Spain, we strongly encourage students to consult the Housing Coordinator before finalizing any housing arrangements.

It is very important to always keep the School in Spain staff informed about your current housing situation and telephone number so that they can contact you in case of emergency.

SEDE PRIM, UAM, and UC3M

Students may choose from the following housing options:

  • Spanish family: “homestay”
  • Apartment
  • Residence hall

(1) Living in a Spanish “homestay”

We have found that living with a Spanish family can be a very valuable experience. This “total immersion” can offer the student insight into Spanish culture, providing a richer vision of traditions, customs, and day-to-day life. However, students should understand that for the family or the señora, this is a business arrangement. Any attempt to establish a more personal relationship will greatly depend on the student. The family may also impose rules regarding the use of appliances, meals, laundry, showers, the telephone, curfew, etc. Spanish homes may be smaller than you are used to, utilities are expensive, and lifestyles are different than in the United States. Courteous gestures, such as respecting quiet hours, economizing on hot water and electricity, and keeping your room neat and clean will help your relations with your hosts tremendously.  It is also important to keep in mind that you must let the family or señora know when you will not be home for a meal. After the first month, provided there’s a justified reason, and after approval from the Director, students may move out of their homestay; you must give two weeks’ notice if you plan to move out.

Students who choose this option will submit their preferences to the Housing Coordinator, who will put them in contact with a family. Be aware that not all housing arrangements will allow for individual doors to be locked. The program maintains a substantial database of families that offer housing; nevertheless, students should be aware that spaces fill quickly, and the office staff may not know immediately when a family is no longer available.  Therefore, this option is not guaranteed, and students will be put in contact with families as their housing questionnaires are received.

Approximate Costs (updated April ’23):

  • Pensión completa (room and three meals): €1.130/month
  • Media pensión (room, breakfast & dinner): €975/month
  • Con derecho a cocina (room only): €665/month

(2) Living in an Apartment

Another option is renting a room in a shared apartment.  Students interested in sharing an apartment with Spanish speakers should keep in mind that the process may be time-consuming (one to two weeks) and can be frustrating.  A room can average between €550 –€900 per month, not including utilities. You should also be aware of the hidden and extra monthly costs like building community fees. Utilities like water, electricity and phone services are also more expensive in Spain than in the U.S. and are normally not included in the rent.

Students should work closely with the Housing Coordinator and ayudantes during the search for an apartment. Past students have found the following web pages useful in their search for an apartment.

www.idealista.com
www.fotocasa.com
www.pisocompartido.com 
www.badi.com/es/
www.madrideasy.com/es/
https://www.homiii.com/

In addition, Middlebury works with student housing organizations in both Córdoba and Madrid. Using the services below, students can reserve a room in a shared apartment before arriving in Spain.

For more information, please contact the Housing Coordinator: siglesias@middlebury.edu

Middlebury has a limited database of apartments that have been rented to students previously. Depending on availability, these addresses will be sent to students upon request. Madrid is a very large city, rental apartments may be scarce, and availability changes on a daily basis; therefore, it is impossible to provide specific information prior to arrival.

The Middlebury School in Spain will assist students who wish to rent an apartment or rent a room in one. In most cases, students will be asked to sign a contract by the owners of the apartment in which they are renting a room. Do not hesitate to ask for assistance from the ayudante or the School staff. However, the contract is a private matter between the renter and the owner and Middlebury is not responsible for conflicts or litigations that may arise.

(3) Living in a Residencia

Accommodations in residence halls are scarce but may be possible to arrange upon request.  There are a few residence halls used by students that are well recommended for single-semester students, including:

Residencia Palacio de Barradas: www.palaciodebarradas.com

Residencia Rosales: http://residenciarosales.com/

Claraval https://yugo.com/es-es/global/espa%C3%B1a/madrid/residencia-de-estudiantes-claraval (apartment style, fills very quickly)

Residencia El Faro https://yugo.com/es-es/global/espa%C3%B1a/madrid/el-faro (fills very quickly)

Residencia Emilia Pardo Bazán: https://yugo.com/es-es/global/espa%C3%B1a/madrid/residencia-de-estudiantes-emilia-pardo-baz%C3%A1n-en-madrid

Residencia Covarrubias: https://www.residenciacovarrubias.es/en/home/

Residencia Abay: https://residencias-abay.com/index.html

Mi Casa Inn Salamanca: https://micasainn.com/residences/?lang=en

Residencia Covarrubias: https://www.residenciacovarrubias.es/en/home/

Available only to students studying a full academic year, September to June:

Xior by HUBR: https://www.hubr.es/residencia-estudiantes-madrid/

All students wishing to stay in a residence hall should request a reservation directly through the web page of the Residence Hall. This way students can ask about prices, availability, and conditions of the residence hall directly and make a final decision. It is important that the Middlebury Housing Coordinator is aware of all communication between the student and the Residence (cc: Sophia Iglesias: siglesias@middlebury.edu on all email correspondence).

For those students registered at the Universidad Carlos III we recommend looking for housing near a “Cercanías” train station.

Most residence halls require students pay their deposit by wire transfer (see Money & Banking section).

ULR (Logroño)

Middlebury staff will assist students in their housing search on-site, based on the student’s housing preference. Córdoba is an average-sized and very accessible city where students will have the following housing options:

  • Apartment (most common choice)
  • Homestay
  • Residence hall

1) Most students prefer to share an apartment with other students, usually European and Spanish.  The university can also help find this type of housing as they have a database with available apartments.  Housing choices may be more limited for spring semester students.

Prices vary from one apartment to another, but the approximate cost is €250/month for a furnished room in a shared apartment.  Utilities are usually shared among the people living in the apartment.

The Universidad de La Rioja maintains an excellent web page with a database for housing which students may consult prior to arrival: www.unirioja.es. Go to “Estudiantes,” click on “Alojamiento y transporte,” then “Bolsa de pisos” for lists of available apartments.

2) Homestays in Logroño are scarce, but may be available upon request.  Students are advised to communicate with the office in Spain well in advance if they prefer this option.

UCO (Córdoba)

Middlebury staff will assist students in their housing search on-site, based on the information submitted on their housing questionnaires. Córdoba is an average-sized and very accessible city where students will have the following housing options:

  • Apartment (most common choice)
  • Homestay
  • Residence hall

1) Most students prefer to share an apartment with other students, usually European and Spanish. Housing choices may be more limited for spring semester students.

Prices vary from one apartment to another, but the approximate cost is €350/month for a furnished room in a shared apartment.  Utilities are usually shared among the people living in the apartment

2) Homestays in Córdoba are scarce, but may be available upon request.  Students are advised to communicate with the office in Spain well in advance if they prefer this option.

3) There are a couple of recommended residence halls in Córdoba, but it is difficult to book a room because they fill so quickly.  If you are interested in living in a residence hall, the sooner you book, the better (this option is even less available for spring term students because almost all rooms are inhabited by full year students).